Marge Fenelon, journalist, speaker, and author of Imitating Mary and Our Lady, Undoer of Knots: A Living Novena
“In taking pen to paper to tell Father Rother’s story of sacrificial love, María Ruiz Scaperlanda has achieved something remarkable for God and his people. For in learning of one priest’s loyalty toward the ‘anawim’ in Guatemala, a world away from the Oklahoma farm of his roots, we cannot help but find our hearts expanded and lurching more fervently toward the Lord of love. Read The Shepherd Who Didn’t Run with caution, however, for transformation is guaranteed.”
Roxane B. Salonen, the collaborative writer for Ramona Treviño’s story, Redeemed by Grace: A Catholic Woman’s Journey to Planned Parenthood and Back
“What words can I use to describe The Shepherd Who Didn’t Run? Strong, moving, faith-filled, haunting, and so full of the power of God are but a few. María Ruiz Scaperlanda paints a poignant portrait of a man who truly gave it all to God.
“This story of a martyred priest reads quickly and powerfully, as we learn about his early roots and family life, his struggles in the seminary, and ultimately how he ended up in a remote corner of Guatemala, caring deeply for his people. Father Rother’s formation as a shepherd unfolds with the turn of each page, drawing us more deeply into his unique mission and ministry.
“This volume is a treasure and should be read by many; I can see it used in both parish book clubs, as well as in catechesis for teens and adults.”
Fran Rossi Szpylczyn, Catholic blogger, writer, and social media consultant
The Shepherd Who Didn’t Run
Father Stanley Rother, Martyr from Oklahoma
María Ruiz Scaperlanda
Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division
Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.
Huntington, IN 46750
Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition copyright © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C., and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner. The quotation from 1 Peter 5:2 (page 21) is from the New American Bible, copyright © 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.
Quotations from papal and other Vatican-generated documents available on vatican.va are copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
Every reasonable effort has been made to determine copyright holders of excerpted materials and to secure permissions as needed. If any copyrighted materials have been inadvertently used in this work without proper credit being given in one form or another, please notify Our Sunday Visitor in writing so that future printings of this work may be corrected accordingly.
Copyright © 2015, 2019 by María de Lourdes Ruiz Scaperlanda. Published 2019.
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All rights reserved. With the exception of short excerpts for critical reviews, no part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever without permission from the publisher. For more information, visit: www.osv.com/permissions.
Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc., 200 Noll Plaza,
Huntington, IN 46750; 1-800-348-2440.
ISBN: 978-1-68192-456-4 (Inventory No. T2343)
eISBN: 978-1-68192-457-1
LCCN: 2019931258
Cover design: Amanda Falk
Front cover art: Portrait of Father Stanley Rother courtesy of the author, copyright © Jim Effler
Spine art and map of Guatemala: Shutterstock
Interior design: Dianne Nelson
Interior photos: See credits in photo section
Printed in the United States of America
To the many faithful priests, nuns, brothers, and sisters who have — and continue to — mold and enrich my life. You are Light!
María Ruiz Scaperlanda
2015, The Year of Consecrated Life
Contents
Preface to the Revised Edition
Foreword by Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City
Introduction by Sister Marita Rother, A.S.C
Chapter 1: Love to the Extreme Limit
July 28, 1981: The Shepherd Who Didn’t Run
The Santiago Atitlán Mission: A Return to Ministry
“If It Is My Destiny That I Should Give My Life Here, Then So Be It …”
Chapter 2: Son of the Red Earth State
A Long Lineage of Germans, Farmers, Catholics
Stanley’s Road to the Priesthood: A Vision of Mission
Everything Changes: The First Seminary
Mount St. Mary’s
Ordination Day: May 25, 1963
Ministry: The Early Years
The Texoma Undertaking
Stanley’s First Work with Indians
An Oklahoma Mission in